Winter Washing Options?

[jhartz]

It will rust in a warm garage.

 

[slim0531]

I started using worx hydroshot battery operated pressure washer with attachment to 2 liter soda bottles. I used like 2 to 3 2L soda bottles just to rinse off the salt from my A4 and LR4. It’s not that much pressure but it does the job. They key was I treated both with F11 prior to winter so the dirt didn’t stick as much. The water I use is lukewarm and I don’t care if it freezes after washing as long as the road salt would be rinsed off. Coldest temp I did it was around 10 deg F.


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[bbyer]

Wand wash or what I guess is called, "Do it Yourself".

Per the link below, here in Alberta, we have heated buildings, (not air conditioned), that consist of a number of wash bays where one drives your vehicle inside, puts coins or a credit card in some sort of money box with a knob or buttons on it. Depending upon the button pushed, high pressure water and perhaps a soap mixture sprays out of a "wand" kind of Star Wars like and in time, the 3 gets cleaner - how much depends upon the effort you put into it.

Pushing more buttons gets clear water or wax etc, and one button gets you a wash brush that a soapy water solution gushes out.

My cost is around ten dollars.

Given that it is near winter here perhaps eight months a year, and cold for at least three months, leaving the 3 dirty two thirds of the year really is not an option. I washed my 3 last week when it warmed up to -20C; -30C is a bit too cold, but I do when I have to as sometimes one has to get the frozen ice out of the wheel wheels in-case the air suspension drops and hence the wheels will not rotate as they are stuck in the now smaller wheel wells.

http://hughescarwash.ca/gas-car-wash/

 

[toddjb122]

Great tips, thanks guys.

I like the idea of the two phase manual wash bay approach. Seems like the best option, or like @mbw said... just do the spray and don't bother getting your hands cold. It's still better off!


I don't think I could do what the Porsche detail guy suggested. Once your car get's loaded up with salt and grime every time you even touch it you get a white residue on your clothes. I was just unpacking my truck from a road trip yesterday, not trying to touch the finish, and I still somehow came in with pants and coat covered in "road powder." I think that would also increase the scratch chance since there is debris sitting on the finish. I hear what he's saying, but maybe his advise was just to keep you from finding a guy with warm enclosed bays.

 

[MRRoverPNW]

I do car detailing on the side, and never ever use auto washes, because they scratch and give you swirl marks, remove your wax/ and any paint protection. Now I live in the PNW and don’t see the feezing temps that you guys see, but I tell people to wait till it’s warm enough to wash, letting the grime build up is ok( even though it looks bad) and before winter hits put a coat of wax on your paint to protect your paint. But if you must wash there are waterless wash systems that you can buy, I use Chemical Guy for all my detailing needs, and they sell a waterless car wash I would highly recommend, it won’t scratch your paint as long as you follow the directions to a T. Go and check it out http://www.chemicalguys.com/EcoSmart_RU_Waterless_Car_Wash_Wax_16_oz_p/wac_707ru_16.htm


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[mbw]

I am a Zaino guy. I have several coats on all my vehicle. When you say auto washes, you don't mean the touchless kind right? They only use high pressure water. I can't see that being too bad unless you have really bad grit that it blows around.

I do agree that the soap on those things are really aggressive and strip off sealants. But I end up using them in the crap weather months. As soon as its bearable outside, I usually do a full detail, clay, the whole deal.

 

[cperez]

As soon as its bearable outside, I usually do a full detail, clay, the whole deal.

I hear that. Nothing like a full treatment spa day for the Landy. Some good music on the Bluetooth speaker, really cold beer, the right collection of potions and gear, and very few distractions. You're singing my tune, @mbw. Throw in my loyal pooch sleeping on the garage floor nearby while I work and it's one of my favorite scenarios.

 

[andyboy]

Go through a touch-less wash. Best thing you can do really. Unless you want to go to a bay and use a wand.

 

[toddjb122]

I find the high pressure touchless automatic washes (not the manual ones) strip off my polish. I go in with a car that beads up when it rains, and come out with a car that does not. Maybe it's the polish I use, but hand washing doesn't do it. The brushless contact washes don't usually do this, but instead they leave swirl marks and scratches.

I'll have to check out one of the waterless systems. I figure I can go rinse off the grit in pressure wash bay, then do the detail with the product.

I have not idea how to do the CLAY BAR treatment. Anyone have a particular dummies guide they recommend?

 

[cperez]

I have not idea how to do the CLAY BAR treatment. Anyone have a particular dummies guide they recommend?

Todd, the last time I did it I used a simple "Clay Kit" from Meguiar's. It comes with a couple of bars of malleable clay, detailing spray, and some microfiber cloths. First you give the vehicle a good wash and dry, then hit it in sections with the detailing spray, followed by gentle but consistent passes with the clay bar. As you proceed, you fold the clay over on itself so that you are burying any micro grit down in the clay and it won't scratch any surfaces as you work your way around. It's pretty cool to run your hand over the paint before and after the clay treatment. Even after a good wash, there is a lot of residue on your clearcoat. This process removes most of that and you can feel the difference. After that you can polish or wax and then go out for a drive and soak up all the admiring glances and compliments.